Jabeerwocky and back to Brewdog

Yes, I do still need to write up my notes from a trip Plzen, but in some of the few moments not filled with work, the boss and I dropped into Jabeerwocky and Brewdog last weekend to see what was on offer. First up was a pint of Art+9 from Stu Mostow. After absolutely loving the Art+8 strawberry Berliner Weisse in Wroclaw, particularly at the Stu Mostow brewery bar, I had high hopes for this one, described as an Oatmeal HopTart, and it didn’t disappoint. Quite a full mouth for the strength (3.7%), presumably that would be the oats, it was packed full of tropical fruits with just enough sourness to keep it interesting and make it hugely refreshing. My only regret was not getting a photo, but that does provide a cracking excuse for another pint very soon. The boss went for a Przedunkelniczne by Bednary, as it was described on the board as a pszeniczne and she was in the mood for a pszeniczne. But, as the name suggests, it’s actually a dunkelweizen and so was rejected on the grounds that she doesn’t like dark beer. Personally I quite liked but it wasn’t even close to the same league as the Art+9.
Birbant Blended Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout, Przedunkelniczne and Session IPA

Instead of the Przedunkelniczne, the boss had a Session IPA by Fourpure. At 4.2% it might not please the purists who insist that session beers can’t be more than 4.0% but is certainly a lot more sessionable than some of the 6.0% Polish ‘session’ ales of late. The first time I had this was maybe three years ago at Chmielarnia: back then it was a revelation and seemed well worth the 23zl a can they asked. But fast forward a couple of years and it’s now much less impressive; it’s still very quaffable and I would certainly be happy to have another pint, but at 24zl for 500ml there are other options, both imported and domestic, which provide very similar enjoyment for slightly more than half the price (Balwan by Artezan springs immediately to mind, as does the Pale Ale from M&S). Or at least that’s what I thought, but I was clearly completely wrong, as the boss polished hers off and told me to get her another one. This time I also got myself a Blended Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout from Birbant and loved it. Masses of chocolate on the nose with hints of dried fruit and whisky. Admittedly the mouth wasn’t quite as full as you’d want a Russian Imperial Stout to be, but there was plenty of malty sweet flavour and a very long finish which warmed right at the end as the alcohol kicked in and gently reminded you that this is a 10.5% number which could very easily end with a very sore head.

Jet Black Heart: still awesome
Brewdog is still something I can’t quite work out; they’ve got some excellent beers and there’s almost always space at the bar, so why hasn’t it become a regular haunt for IPIP? It’s certainly a question that baffled me even more as I got the right side of a pint of Jet Black Heart. That stuff has to be one of the most enjoyable beers that’s always available in Poland. The only bad thing about it is that it almost makes you weep about the refusal of other craft beer bars to invest in nitro-taps; Poland is making huge leaps with its dark beers but they taste so much better from nitro-taps. The boss went for a Rhubarb and Ginger Saison from Partizan and was less than impressed with what she got. Personally it seemed be very much what it said in the name: a Saison with ginger and rhubarb. The ginger was much more prominent that the rhubard, particularly on the nose, but it was both refreshing and very easy drinking. And at 3.9%, you could certainly drink quite a few of them – got to give credit to breweries who stay true to the origins of Saison rather than brewing the 6% and 7% bourgeoisie versions – although at 17zl for a 2/3 of a pint, your bank manager may well have words if you did.

Partizan Saison: worth trying

And if the Saison doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket, the Hoppin Frog Infusion A – Coffee Porter certainly will. It’s priced at 22zl but look closer and you’ll see that that’s 22zl for a third of a pint. Can you remember ever seeing a more expensive beer in Warsaw than 66zl a pint? I can’t. But is it worth that? The aroma is certainly interesting, a good dollop of coffee but even more peanut butter and chocolate. Coffee notes are much stronger on the mouth, which stops the flavour from being too sweet and rich. But the finish is quite short and the mouth a bit thin. Would I have a pint? If you’re buying, certainly; if it’s my own money, probably not. While I was pondering the Infusion A, the Mrs had an Ace of Chinook. It must have been good, I didn’t get so much as a single sip. Although I did manage to get a photo of it, which is more than can be said for the Hoppin Frog; ah well, need to have another one now.

Rounding out the evening was an old favourite and the first Brewdog beer I ever had: Dead Pony Club. It’s still as excellent as ever, and now back with the original name. The problem is that it’s still in cans rather than on tap, although as those cans cost less than in your local beer store, at least some of the disappointment is taken away.

Dead Pony Club and some bloke at the bar

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